Sneak peek of Pier 54 transformation and seawall replacement

By By JORDAN STEAD and SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

on April 29, 2015 3:54 PM

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

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Here are photos of the pier and construction project taken before the re-opening on July 1.

Ivar's Restaurants shows off construction progress of their new version of the 115-year-old "Acres of Clams and Fish Bar" during a media sneak peek tour Wednesday at Pier 54 in Seattle. The city and 15 businesses agreed to close the Central Waterfront due to the rebuild of the seawall in October 2014. Ivar's on Pier 54 took that time off to remodel and expand its waterfront restaurant. The restaurant and other businesses on the pier reopen on July 1, following the largest pier renovation since the 1970s.

Meanwhile, the seawall project is scheduled to finish in June 2016, but access to businesses will remain open in the meantime. less

Here are photos of the pier and construction project taken before the re-opening on July 1.

Ivar's Restaurants shows off construction progress of their new version of the 115-year-old "Acres of Clams and Fish ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

Here are photos of the pier and construction project taken before... Photo-7898130.108631 - seattlepi.com

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Construction continues on the Seawall Replacement Project as seen on Wednesday at Pier 54. The tourist-heavy portion of the waterfront will reopen to pedestrians with four times the sidewalk space July 1. The entire project is scheduled to finish June 2016.

The seawall replacement is paid for by a $290 million public bond measure approved by voters in 2012.

The city gave the 15 temporarily closed waterfront businesses $15 million to stay afloat during the closures. less

Construction continues on the Seawall Replacement Project as seen on Wednesday at Pier 54. The tourist-heavy portion of the waterfront will reopen to pedestrians with four times the sidewalk space July 1. The ... more

Originally a general store in 1900 and then a float plane base in the 1920s, Pier 3 - renamed Pier 54 - became Ivar's in 1938. The current remodel is its first since 1985 and, according to the company, the most significant in its 77-year history. less

Workers inject grout into the soil to stabilize the ground and reduce seismic risk in the event of an earthquake. The process employs a drill bit that penetrates 6 feet into the ground and creates columns of strengthened soil. That routine will occur 6,000 times before the end of construction. less

Construction continues on the Seawall Replacement Project Wednesday.

Workers inject grout into the soil to stabilize the ground and reduce seismic risk in the event of an earthquake. The process employs a drill ... more

The kitchen, pictured, will be double the size of the previous kitchen and include energy-efficient equipment. Chef Chris Garr says changes to the menu will be limited at first, but he's working on a new bar menu that will include shared plates and the menu will likely evolve over time. less